Survey year | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 27% | 40% | 2% | 23% | 7% | 8,717 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Interpreting scripture among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by religious group
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who say the holy scripture is…
Religious tradition | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 23% | 45% | 2% | 22% | 7% | 2,402 |
Evangelical Protestant | 39% | 42% | 3% | 12% | 5% | 2,111 |
Historically Black Protestant | 52% | 29% | 2% | 12% | 6% | 595 |
Jewish | 9% | 57% | 2% | 20% | 12% | 126 |
Mainline Protestant | 19% | 46% | 2% | 24% | 8% | 1,925 |
Mormon | 26% | 66% | 3% | 4% | 1% | 192 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 16% | 25% | 1% | 47% | 10% | 944 |
Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who are ages…
Interpreting scripture | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 17% | 37% | 31% | 15% | 2,100 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 23% | 33% | 27% | 17% | 3,670 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 15% | 27% | 29% | 28% | 203 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 32% | 27% | 12% | 1,922 |
Other/don't know | 19% | 31% | 29% | 21% | 677 |
Generational cohort among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who are…
Interpreting scripture | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 10% | 14% | 30% | 35% | 10% | 1% | 2,100 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 15% | 14% | 28% | 33% | 10% | 1% | 3,670 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 7% | 11% | 24% | 37% | 20% | 1% | 203 |
Not the word of God | 15% | 21% | 25% | 32% | 7% | < 1% | 1,922 |
Other/don't know | 9% | 17% | 24% | 33% | 16% | 1% | 677 |
Gender composition among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who are…
Interpreting scripture | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 45% | 55% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 48% | 52% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 52% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 53% | 47% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 50% | 695 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 51% | 22% | 2% | 21% | 4% | 2,118 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 73% | 10% | 3% | 11% | 4% | 3,681 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 68% | 13% | 1% | 12% | 6% | 208 |
Not the word of God | 68% | 9% | 3% | 16% | 4% | 1,922 |
Other/don't know | 67% | 14% | 3% | 13% | 3% | 677 |
Immigrant status among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who are…
Interpreting scripture | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 19% | 8% | 73% | 2,096 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 11% | 10% | 79% | 3,697 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 19% | 5% | 75% | 206 |
Not the word of God | 12% | 10% | 77% | 1,937 |
Other/don't know | 11% | 9% | 80% | 682 |
Income distribution among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who have a household income of…
Interpreting scripture | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 48% | 21% | 21% | 10% | 1,865 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 26% | 21% | 31% | 22% | 3,343 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 21% | 26% | 19% | 169 |
Not the word of God | 30% | 21% | 28% | 21% | 1,769 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 21% | 28% | 18% | 573 |
Educational distribution among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who have completed…
Interpreting scripture | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 52% | 33% | 10% | 6% | 2,125 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 32% | 35% | 20% | 14% | 3,712 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 40% | 33% | 16% | 10% | 208 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 35% | 20% | 11% | 1,941 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 41% | 15% | 10% | 687 |
Marital status among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who are…
Interpreting scripture | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 49% | 6% | 17% | 6% | 22% | 2,126 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 6% | 12% | 5% | 25% | 3,713 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 48% | 8% | 13% | 10% | 21% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 11% | 13% | 4% | 27% | 1,945 |
Other/don't know | 47% | 11% | 13% | 8% | 21% | 689 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who are…
Interpreting scripture | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 33% | 67% | 2,127 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 31% | 69% | 3,712 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 24% | 76% | 210 |
Not the word of God | 28% | 72% | 1,950 |
Other/don't know | 24% | 76% | 691 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who say they…
Interpreting scripture | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 86% | 12% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 79% | 19% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 84% | 14% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 1% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 54% | 32% | 7% | < 1% | 5% | 2% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 75% | 18% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 695 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who say religion is…
Interpreting scripture | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 82% | 15% | 2% | 1% | < 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 63% | 31% | 4% | 1% | < 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 78% | 18% | < 1% | 2% | 1% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 32% | 42% | 15% | 11% | < 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 57% | 29% | 9% | 4% | 1% | 695 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who attend religious services…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 54% | 32% | 14% | < 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 41% | 42% | 17% | < 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 46% | 37% | 15% | 3% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 42% | 42% | < 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 43% | 26% | 1% | 695 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who pray…
Interpreting scripture | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 76% | 15% | 4% | 6% | < 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 64% | 23% | 6% | 7% | < 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 80% | 14% | 2% | 1% | 3% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 45% | 22% | 9% | 23% | 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 18% | 7% | 11% | 2% | 695 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who attend prayer group…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 39% | 14% | 10% | 37% | < 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 22% | 12% | 13% | 53% | < 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 9% | 8% | 44% | 5% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 8% | 6% | 7% | 79% | < 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 18% | 9% | 8% | 63% | 1% | 695 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who meditate…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 51% | 8% | 3% | 36% | 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 39% | 9% | 5% | 47% | 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 53% | 5% | 3% | 37% | 2% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 36% | 10% | 5% | 48% | 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 44% | 10% | 4% | 41% | 1% | 695 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 74% | 13% | 6% | 7% | < 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 61% | 18% | 11% | 9% | < 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 73% | 9% | 8% | 6% | 5% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 51% | 17% | 13% | 19% | 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 62% | 13% | 9% | 13% | 3% | 695 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 44% | 16% | 12% | 26% | 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 45% | 19% | 15% | 21% | 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 11% | 12% | 24% | 8% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 50% | 15% | 14% | 20% | < 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 52% | 13% | 11% | 23% | 1% | 695 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Interpreting scripture | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 55% | 5% | 34% | 5% | 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 10% | 46% | 5% | 2% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 51% | 5% | 33% | 4% | 7% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 11% | 16% | 61% | 10% | 2% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 26% | 12% | 52% | 4% | 6% | 695 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who say…
Interpreting scripture | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 38% | 60% | 1% | 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 63% | 1% | < 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 31% | 64% | 3% | 2% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 24% | 74% | 1% | 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 66% | 4% | 1% | 695 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who read scripture…
Interpreting scripture | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 55% | 14% | 8% | 23% | 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 36% | 14% | 12% | 37% | < 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 54% | 11% | 11% | 20% | 4% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 16% | 10% | 10% | 64% | < 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 30% | 14% | 10% | 43% | 2% | 695 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who …in heaven
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 95% | 3% | 2% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 92% | 5% | 3% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 87% | 3% | 9% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 69% | 23% | 8% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 78% | 10% | 12% | 695 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who …in hell
Interpreting scripture | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 83% | 12% | 5% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 72% | 22% | 6% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 75% | 12% | 13% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 47% | 46% | 8% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 59% | 27% | 14% | 695 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who identify as…
Interpreting scripture | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 38% | 18% | 44% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 46% | 13% | 40% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 34% | 26% | 41% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 18% | 48% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 34% | 25% | 42% | 695 |
Political ideology among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who are…
Interpreting scripture | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 46% | 29% | 18% | 7% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 41% | 18% | 4% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 47% | 31% | 12% | 10% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 25% | 40% | 31% | 4% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 28% | 42% | 22% | 8% | 695 |
Views about size of government among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who would rather have…
Interpreting scripture | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 43% | 53% | 2% | 2% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 60% | 36% | 2% | 2% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 36% | 7% | 7% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 57% | 37% | 3% | 3% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 50% | 35% | 8% | 7% | 695 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who say government aid to the poor…
Interpreting scripture | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 45% | 51% | 3% | 1% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 50% | 47% | 3% | 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 43% | 44% | 9% | 4% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 43% | 53% | 3% | 2% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 38% | 50% | 8% | 4% | 695 |
Views about abortion among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who say abortion should be…
Interpreting scripture | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 41% | 55% | 4% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 52% | 46% | 2% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 39% | 51% | 10% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 70% | 27% | 3% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 54% | 34% | 12% | 695 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who say homosexuality…
Interpreting scripture | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 48% | 43% | 5% | 4% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 69% | 24% | 4% | 3% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 50% | 36% | 8% | 5% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 80% | 15% | 3% | 2% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 65% | 23% | 7% | 5% | 695 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who …same-sex marriage
Interpreting scripture | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 37% | 54% | 8% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 57% | 36% | 7% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 45% | 45% | 10% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 74% | 19% | 7% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 58% | 29% | 13% | 695 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say humans evolved due to God's design by interpretation of scripture
% of adults who say humans evolved due to God's design who say…
Interpreting scripture | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Word of God; should be taken literally | 45% | 52% | 1% | 2% | 2,136 |
Word of God; not everything taken literally | 37% | 60% | 1% | 1% | 3,721 |
Word of God; other/don't know | 37% | 53% | 3% | 6% | 211 |
Not the word of God | 34% | 62% | 2% | 1% | 1,954 |
Other/don't know | 33% | 58% | 4% | 5% | 695 |